Samsung Set to Challenge Apple and Waymo; Secures Permit to Test Self-Driving Cars

Samsung Electronics has become the latest entrant into the world of self-driving cars as the company has recently confirmed in a press release that it has secured a permit to test its own self-driving cars in California.

Apple Inc. had earlier received a permit to test its self-driving car technology just four months ago. Samsung's entry into the US self-driving car landscape indicates that it will join Apple Inc. and Waymo, a division of Google's parent company 'Alphabet Inc'.

In May, Samsung Group had secured permission from South Korean authorities to test a self driving car equipped with its own sensors and software in an attempt to develop a self-driving car algorithm, which could help cars to drive in auto pilot mode even in adverse weather.

In its statement to Reuters, Samsung did not disclose what it planned to test in the US but said it had secured a permit "in pursuit of a smarter, safer transportation future."

Samsung Inc. was recently given the approval to test its deep-learning based autonomous vehicles on public roads in South Korea.

Samsung has been very secretive about its newest project. However, it is reportedly working on "commercialized Hyundai vehicles equipped with the latest cameras and sensors" that will be used for the testing. The second-largest semiconductor company was already making chips that are used in self-driving cars prior to this announcement.

Earlier this year, Samsung made its presence felt in the connected car services market when it purchased car audio maker Harman International for USD 8 billion.